Younger generations have led the fight in every major social issue for the past century. Their voices have collectively determined the outcomes of national and international events such as the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, thus solidifying their position as a dominant social force.
Today, the young people of the world have brought the fight to the dirtiest form of energy: coal. Students in particular have spearheaded this movement, and now 16 universities across the country have committed to move beyond coal on their campuses.
Yet this is not enough. Burning coal is one of the primary contributors to global warming and is responsible for more than 30 percent of the United States' annual carbon dioxide emissions. The disastrous environmental effects already have been seen with increased species extinction rates, storm severity, water levels and the melting of the polar ice caps. Our continued dependence on dirty energy will only expedite these processes.
That is why the Sierra Student Coalition here on Grounds is determined to stop coal burning before it gets any worse. By retiring coal-derived energy, our nation's universities will set an example for the rest of the world, bringing it that much closer to a cleaner future beyond coal.
Brian Fitzsimmons\nCLAS I
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